“Who’s there!”

The voice was like thunder, making Yuanxi’s heart pound wildly. Her father Xia Mingyuan, as the National Uncle and holding the position of Left Chancellor, had held power and made decisions for many years, so this shout naturally carried an imposing and wrathful presence.

Yuanxi felt hesitant. If she stood up now and admitted she had accidentally injured herself, it probably wouldn’t be anything serious. But for some unknown reason, she still shrank back and hid herself in the shadows of the bushes.

Xia Mingyuan frowned and wanted to step forward to investigate, but catching sight of the person behind him from the corner of his eye, he weighed his options and temporarily gave up, turning to escort that person toward the side gate.

Yuanxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and seeing that the wound on her leg had stopped bleeding, tried to stand up. Fortunately, Nanny Li found her at this moment and immediately exclaimed upon seeing her: “Miss, what happened to your leg?”

Yuanxi quickly signaled her not to make a fuss, stood up with her support, and being worried about Seventh Concubine’s situation, disregarded her leg injury and had Nanny Li take her directly to Seventh Concubine’s room.

Among the several concubines, Seventh Concubine ranked lowest in both birth and favor. Her room’s furnishings were ordinary, and she only used the cheapest incense. But for Yuanxi, this room was the only place in the Chancellor’s mansion where she had ever felt warmth.

When she was seven years old, she contracted a strange illness. The doctor prescribed medicine, saying she would need to take it continuously until she came of age. Seventh Concubine, worried that the maids in her room wouldn’t care for her properly, brewed the medicine for her daily and had her come to her room to take it. Whenever she finished the medicine and made faces complaining of its bitterness, Seventh Concubine would smile and take out homemade candy to put in her mouth. Those were the happiest times of her youth: even she, small and most neglected by father, could feel someone’s genuine love.

Seventh Concubine’s face still showed tear stains. Upon seeing her enter, she quickly came forward but immediately noticed the injury on her leg and asked in alarm: “How did you get hurt?”

Yuanxi smiled and shook her head: “I fell accidentally, it’s nothing serious.”

But Seventh Concubine frowned with concern: “How can it be nothing serious? You’re getting married in a couple of days—we need to heal this properly so it doesn’t leave a scar.” As she spoke, she instructed Bao Zhu to fetch medicine, and worried that the servants might be clumsy and hurt her, she personally bent down to apply medicine to Yuanxi’s wound.

Yuanxi looked down to see that Seventh Concubine’s makeup had been ruined by crying. Her face, never particularly refined to begin with, could no longer hide the traces of time’s hardships. Feeling bitter, she reached out to adjust the pearl flower that had gone askew in her hair and said gently: “Concubine, after Yuanxi marries, I won’t be able to look after you anymore. You must remember to think more of yourself and absolutely cannot quarrel with father again.”

Seventh Concubine’s hand paused. She opened her mouth wanting to say something but ultimately remained silent, only lowering her head and weeping: “Poor child, what will become of the future…”

Yuanxi quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and smiled consolingly: “Concubine should be happy. Being able to marry into a marquis’s mansion is Yuanxi’s good fortune.”

Who would have known that hearing these words, Seventh Concubine’s tears flowed even more uncontrollably. She simply embraced her tightly, unable to speak for a long while.

Yuanxi felt Seventh Concubine was acting strangely today, secretly thinking she must have believed those rumors about the marquis’s mansion and was worried on that account. She was about to offer more comforting words, but thinking that the two of them would likely find it difficult to meet again in the future, her heart ached and she couldn’t help but shed tears as well.

Just then, a young servant hurried over. Seeing the scene of the two embracing and crying at the door, he felt awkward but immediately put on a smile and said to Yuanxi: “Ninth Miss, so you really are here—I’ve been looking everywhere for you. The master specially sent me to ask if there’s any unfulfilled wish you have before leaving the family, just tell me and I’ll handle it for you.”

Yuanxi recognized this person as a young servant who attended to father. This was the first time in her life that father had inquired about her thoughts. Though it was such a small gesture of care, it still filled her heart with joy. She excitedly looked up at Seventh Concubine, but was surprised to discover a cold smile playing at Seventh Concubine’s lips.

Meanwhile, at the Marquis Xuanyuan’s mansion where another joyous occasion was approaching, Marquis Xuanyuan Xiao Du was trying on the ceremonial robes he would wear for his wedding. On the patterns embroidered with gold thread, a pair of hands soft as congealed fat were slowly moving, exploring from the outer robe into the inner garment, sliding inch by inch toward his waist until they were firmly grasped by a pair of large hands.

Xiao Du smiled at the corners of his mouth, looking down at this beautiful but slightly panicked face, and asked lazily: “New arrival?”

The maid whose wrist he had caught quickly concealed the panic on her face, pursed her lips, and gazed at him with autumn eyes full of charm, saying softly: “This servant’s family name is Wang. My family was once scholarly, but unfortunately fell into decline, so I was sold into servitude. I hope for Your Lordship’s pity.” She remembered her previous instructions and struggled to suppress her inner fear, putting on a pitiable and touching appearance. She had always been extremely confident in her looks—even if this man had noble status, he was still just a man after all.

Indeed, she saw Xiao Du slowly lower his head and lean toward her face. Before she could feel pleased, her neck was firmly grasped, and a pair of lips pressed against her ear, laughing softly: “Do you know where all those who dared to act like you before are now?”

She was suddenly alarmed, remembering the rumors surrounding this man, and her face immediately turned deathly pale. Although someone had assured her that those were all baseless rumors, at this moment the hands gripping her neck were slowly tightening. A chill crept from the back of her neck throughout her entire body, making her shiver uncontrollably.

Xiao Du was still smiling as he turned her stiff body toward the window, pointing at a dense grove of crabapple trees nearby: “They say crabapple flowers need fresh corpses to bloom well, especially tender young girls like you are most suitable. What do you think?” The maid stared in terror, tears uncontrollably flowing out. She wanted to escape but was firmly held by the hands behind her head, so she could only cry out tremblingly: “Your Lordship, spare my life! This servant will never dare again.”

Xiao Du slowly embedded his fingernails into the tender skin, leaning against her ear and softly saying just one word: “Scram!”

The maid felt the pressure on her neck suddenly release and collapsed limply to the ground as if granted amnesty. Fearing to stay even a moment longer, she quickly scrambled up and desperately ran outside, nearly colliding with the steward Liu Zhong who was about to enter.

Liu Zhong quickly dodged aside and, watching her fleeing figure, shook his head: “The new people in the mansion are becoming increasingly ignorant of the rules.” But Zhou Jingyuan, the mansion’s chief steward standing beside him, frowned thoughtfully, then turned back and said: “Let’s go in first—business matters are important.”

Upon entering, they saw Xiao Du disgustedly removing the ceremonial robe and throwing it on the ground, coldly ordering: “Make a new one!” The two men looked at each other and very tactfully didn’t ask questions, just nodded in agreement.

Seeing Xiao Du’s expression gradually soften, Liu Zhong began reporting the dishes decided for the wedding banquet: “Yangzhou drunken crab, mixed stewed vegetables, roasted lamb leg…” Before he finished speaking, Xiao Du’s brow turned cold, and he casually drew out the jade belt from his waist and struck viciously. The paper was immediately torn in two by the gold hook. Liu Zhong was so frightened his hands trembled as he stammered: “Does Your Lordship find something inappropriate?”

Xiao Du’s anger hadn’t subsided as he glared at him: “Didn’t I say that no red meat should be served at the banquet? Why is there still lamb on the menu?”

Liu Zhong was too frightened to respond. Zhou Jingyuan quickly bowed and interjected: “This wedding banquet isn’t just a family feast, after all. Duke Zhongguo, Duke Liang, the Jining Marquis mansion, and Prince Rui’s mansion will all send people. If the dishes are too monotonous, I’m afraid it will damage the marquis mansion’s reputation. Moreover, this menu was reviewed by both the master and madam before being finalized through discussion.”

“Oh?” Xiao Du said coldly: “So Chief Steward Zhou is using my parents to pressure me.” He slowly walked over, picked up the jade belt from the ground, folded it in his hands and glanced coldly: “Listen carefully—I don’t care who’s coming. Since this is my marquis mansion’s wedding banquet, it will be conducted according to my family’s rules. Remove all the red meat. If you’re unwilling, I can just as easily have someone else handle it.”

Seeing his cold and unyielding attitude with no room for negotiation, Zhou Jingyuan could only helplessly signal to Liu Zhong. Liu Zhong wore a bitter expression, glanced at the menu torn in half on the ground, sighed, and went out to carry out the orders. Zhou Jingyuan straightened up and said to Xiao Du: “There’s one more matter—General Zheng and Zhang Langjiang returned to the capital yesterday.”

Xiao Du’s eyes lit up and his face finally showed a smile: “Really? Why haven’t I seen them come over? I haven’t seen them for over a year.”

“It’s just…” Seeing Zhou Jingyuan hesitate, Xiao Du said impatiently: “Whatever you have to say, say it quickly!”

Zhou Jingyuan thought for a moment before saying: “Yesterday General Zheng and Zhang Langjiang were riding through the streets with their men when they encountered a censor from the Imperial Censorate. The censor couldn’t stand it and went to stop them with a few words of rebuke. Who would have known that General Zheng would casually lash him with his whip, striking his right arm until it bled profusely. Those censors aren’t easy to deal with—apparently he found several colleagues and they’re preparing to jointly impeach General Zheng for riding recklessly in the marketplace and committing violence by abusing his power. General Zheng is your cousin after all, and he returned to the capital for Your Lordship’s wedding. If this matter escalates, I’m afraid it will implicate the marquis mansion as well. Perhaps Your Lordship should go persuade General Zheng—we need to find a way to settle this matter.”

After hearing this, Xiao Du actually grinned and clapped his hands: “Well struck! How can my brother Xiao Du be scolded in the street by others? Those censors only know how to rely on their writing brushes to scold people. When the border is truly in crisis, don’t they still depend on my brothers to risk their lives? Just let those court officials submit their memorials. Even if it reaches His Majesty, I’ll take responsibility for them.”

Chief Steward Zhou hadn’t expected such a reaction and couldn’t help but argue: “Acting this way, doesn’t it make our marquis mansion appear to be bullying others with power, giving others grounds for criticism?”

Xiao Du leaned forward and smiled shamelessly: “Tell me, if power isn’t used to pressure people, what use is it?”

Chief Steward Zhou was rendered speechless, his facial expression changing several times before he finally suppressed his dissatisfaction and withdrew with a shake of his head. Liu Zhong had been waiting outside and, seeing him emerge, immediately approached with a bitter face to ask: “Chief Steward Zhou, about this menu…”

Zhou Jingyuan waved his hand irritably: “Didn’t you hear yesterday’s instructions from the old master? The person inside is now the proper marquis, and he’s the one getting married, so do everything according to what he says.” Then this old man who had been in the marquis mansion for over ten years shook his head and sighed softly: “Such a promising young man—why did he turn out this way? If he continues acting so recklessly, I’m afraid…”

At this time, the red sun was gradually setting on the horizon and dusk was approaching. A gentle breeze picked up fallen leaves, covering this sigh, then continued meandering into the distance, lifting a corner of Left Chancellor Xia Mingyuan’s robe.

Xia Mingyuan wore a dark blue Hangzhou silk straight robe and walked onto the covered walkway with his hands behind his back. Nanny Li saw him approaching from afar and quickly greeted him with a face full of smiles, saying attentively: “Master has arrived! Miss has already prepared your favorite wine and dishes and has been waiting for some time.”

Xia Mingyuan was just lifting his robe to cross the threshold when he heard this and looked back strangely, then continued inside without saying a word. Upon entering, he indeed saw several plates of small dishes he usually enjoyed on the table. Yuanxi was sitting rigidly beside the table, and upon seeing Xia Mingyuan enter, she quickly stood up flustered and curtsied.

Seeing Yuanxi’s expression showing fear and unfamiliarity, Xia Mingyuan felt mixed emotions and sat down, saying flatly: “It’s just the two of us, father and daughter—no need for formalities.” He stared at Yuanxi for a moment and asked: “Having me accompany you for a meal—is this your wish?”

Yuanxi quickly nodded and picked up chopsticks to serve Xia Mingyuan food. She had never been alone with father like this before and now felt both nervous and somewhat excited. Seeing Xia Mingyuan still looking at her, seemingly waiting for an answer, she lowered her head and said softly: “Because from childhood to now, father has never dined alone with me. I’m afraid there won’t be opportunities after I marry, so…”

Xia Mingyuan’s heart shook. Yuanxi’s eyes dimmed as she thought this might be the last chance to speak alone with father, so she continued: “I heard that when my brothers and sisters had birthdays, father would go to their rooms alone to dine with them. So every year I thought father must have forgotten by accident, and surely he would remember next year. But I waited for many years before finally understanding that father would never come.”

Her voice grew lower and lower until it was barely audible. After a while, she sniffled and continued: “Another time I heard that Second Sister was ill, and father stayed by her bedside all night. So I always hoped I would get seriously sick too. When I was seven, I finally fell ill, but I didn’t see father. I thought the illness must not have been serious enough, so I deliberately went barefoot on the cold floor in winter night and finally developed a high fever. I lay in bed thinking that when I opened my eyes, I would surely see father, but… father never came in the end.” She smiled somewhat forlornly and looked up: “Father must think your daughter is very foolish.”

Xia Mingyuan gazed at her intently, finally feeling some guilt in his heart. He remembered she was born on Yuanxi Festival, so he named her Yuanxi. He remembered when she couldn’t walk properly yet, she would always wave her little hands and laugh as she ran toward him, and then… When did she grow up? What kind of life had she lived these years? He had never paid attention or inquired. Did he not want to inquire, or did he not dare to inquire?

Seeing father frown and fall into silence, Yuanxi thought she had said something wrong and angered him, so she became even more anxious. At this moment, Xia Mingyuan took out a box of rose balm from his chest: “After you marry, you must pay even more attention to your appearance to keep your husband’s affection. This box of rose balm was tribute from the West—there were only three boxes total, and His Majesty rewarded one to our mansion. It’s said to have miraculous age-preserving effects. Today father gives it to you as a wedding gift.”

Yuanxi’s eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe this was a gift father had specially given her. Her eyes immediately became moist as she quickly received the rose balm and found an exquisite wooden box from the cabinet to carefully place it inside.

Xia Mingyuan noticed the box didn’t look like a cosmetics case and contained various other items, so he casually asked: “What’s in there?”

Yuanxi held the box to her chest and smiled: “These are all things father gave me.” She picked out a pearl flower: “This is from when father returned from Yangzhou and gave one to each of us sisters.” She then took out a sugar figurine whose features could no longer be discerned: “This was made for New Year when father had them made and personally gave them to us. I couldn’t bear to eat it, so I kept it in this box, wanting to be able to take it out and look at it from time to time.” She introduced each item one by one, finally caressing the box of rose balm and smiling even more happily: “Now this box of rose balm is something father personally gave just to me alone—it’s much more precious than all the others.”

Xia Mingyuan turned to look, not knowing what to feel in his heart. Yuanxi happily instructed Nanny Li to bring wine and, no longer constrained, poured wine for him while saying: “Daughter is about to marry, so with this cup of wine, I thank father for his nurturing grace.”

Xia Mingyuan brought the wine cup to his lips and saw that Yuanxi had already drained hers, her face immediately flushing red. He finally asked: “Have you ever resented father?”

Yuanxi had never drunk alcohol before and now felt dizzy and light-headed. She just hazily shook her head: she was merely a motherless concubine’s daughter who could eat and drink well while being raised in the Chancellor’s mansion—what was there to resent? But she opened her mouth yet ultimately didn’t ask the question she had always wanted to ask: what exactly had she done wrong to make father unwilling to even look at her properly all these years?

The effects of the alcohol made Yuanxi feel the world spinning around her, and her body softly collapsed onto the table. In her daze, she heard father close the window behind her and put a piece of clothing over her shoulders. Warmth flowed through her heart: how wonderful—father did care about her after all.

At this moment, she heard father say softly beside her: “Don’t blame me—this is all your fate!” Then he seemed to sigh heavily before pushing open the door and leaving, calling for Nanny Li to come in and attend to her.

Yuanxi was puzzled and wanted to get up to ask: “Why is it her fate? What is her fate?” But her entire body couldn’t summon any strength. She only felt Nanny Li help her to bed, and soon she fell into deep sleep.